How To Install A Fishfinder Like Professionals

Technically advanced Fishfinders have made fishing, angling quite fun and exciting in past few years. Whether you are a professional angler, novice, or do it for adventure. Fishfinders are equally important and valuable for all. To get the most out of your fishing experience, you need to install the fish finder on board correctly. To do this accurately, you must have the knowledge of the basic know-how of installing it. Here is a comprehensive and step by step guide to install the fish finder.

Basic steps to be followed!

Step: 1 Determine the Positioning of Transducer

The first and the most important step is to mount the transducer on the boat. All the procedure of fishfinding depends on the positioning of a transducer. There are two types of transducer.

Transom mounts transducer

Thru-hull transducer

Most units come with transom mount transducers. These are very conveniently installed. All you require is a normal tool-kit to get it mounted. For thru-hull transducer, you have to follow a comparatively professional procedure. It includes drilling a hole in the bottom and running of wires through it.
Some people are of the view that a fishfinder should be installed before a transducer. But we would suggest you to go for the transducer fixing first. Once you have placed the transducer, now check how far its wires are going to run. Though you have the alternative of moving your fishfinder unit around but the transducer must be placed on the transom.
The best spot for the placement of a transducer should be an area that is always submerged. If not drowned in the water, a transducer would not function properly. The place of mounting it should be smooth and at quite a distance from the propeller (about 12-14 preferably). Beware of any turbulent area in the surrounding it may disrupt the flow of water (propeller). That’s the very reason, we recommend a place away from the propeller. If the water is not flowing smoothly, the transducer would not work accurately. The transducer must be placed in a position where it does not get bumped around. Lastly, the position of the transducer should always be horizontal.

Step: 2 Testing Running the wires

Before screwing the transducer, it’s highly advisable to test run the wires first. Pass the wires from the transducer to the main unit. From the main unit to the battery. Some prefer to run the wires after screwing the transducer. Which is not the right way as it might cause an accidental tug on the wire. Which in turn can loosen the tightening sealant, to be used for sealing the holes later on?Tip: For those who have long wires with a transducer, never think of cutting them. once you have cut them, the warranty you got from the manufacturers gets void.

Step: 3 Mounting the transducer

After checking the wires now comes the stage to mount the transducer. As soon as you have found the appropriate spot for placing the transducer, put a block of plastic first. Now mount that transducer horizontally over the block with the help of some high-quality glue or blocks epoxy. This idea of a plastic block makes sure you do not have to drill any other holes in the boat. Give the transducer and block some time to get dry completely. As it gets dried, use a pencil to mark the positions of the holes that you are going to drill. Don’t forget to use a sealant. It may keep any unwanted holes, drilled accidently.The other way!
A transducer can also be fastened directly on the transom. It requires drilling two holes. These transducers come with a mounting hardware included in the packaging. Screw the transducer on that. Fill the both drilled holes with silicon sealant to avoid any type of water leakage. That could prove hazardous.

Step: 4 Run the wires

After the test run of the wires, you are quite familiar with the whole procedure. Now comes the time to run the wires actually. Wiring can be done both ways; above the transom or via a hole in the transom. Making a hole, make sure the spot you have chosen is quite above the water surface.
It’s very important to keep the wires intact to the boat. There should not be any loose wire or the wires should not be moving around. Use clamps or ties right after every 18 feet to keep the wire well-fixed.
Thirdly, do not forget to run these cables from the power source to the main unit. Most of the cables provided by the manufacturers have their own built-in fuse. That is quite a good feature. Do not think of removing that. Without a fuse, you are always at the risk of a deadly power surge. That may result in the burning of the unit. In case you don’t find any already-installed fuse, install one.
Tip: while connecting to the power source, remember that red stands for positive and black for negative.

Step: 5 Mount the fishfinder

As the transducer is mounted and wires are run through it, now come the final and the most significant task of installing the fish finder itself. Normally the manuals with the fishfinding brand come with all the necessary info regarding the fixing of the fishfinder. The best is to read that thoroughly. As every brand has its own features to be taken care of. Mostly fishfinders have the option of in-dash mount (available separately). If you plan to go with that. Draw the mounting area over it and cut it out. You have to be quite vigilant while cutting it as a bit of extra cutting and you can’t fix that again.

Final Step!

Once you are done with all the above-mentioned steps. And most importantly your sealant is dried. It’s time to set off on a fishing adventure. If you have followed all the steps well, there should be no confusion in getting the perfect readings without any confusion.

Tips to install

Try to find the best location

Keep the fishfinder close to the center on the helm. High-quality viewing largely depends on it.

The height of the unit should be between your waist and shoulder

Avoid overhead mounting locations. Using them is not convenient. You might suffer a neck strain.

The location of the fishfinder should be adjustable enough. A place where you can easily tilt or turn the unit without bumping into other fixed items like the compass, throttle or windshield.

Maintenance

Once everything is done properly, now starts the functionality of the rod and the bait. You will be getting the perfect readings, and it’s up to you how quickly you react to target the underwater pray. As soon as you are done with fishing, cover the unit with a waterproof cover. The manufacturers normally provide the covers for LCD only. Which is not enough for the maintenance. We recommend you buy one to cover the whole area and slides of the fishfinder.